Two courts reject appeals in Michael Jackson death cases; insurance suit over $17M policy is settled

Litigation related to the death of pop singer Michael Jackson appears to be nearing a conclusion after the settlement of an insurance coverage case over a $17.5 million policy and a unanimous California appellate court ruling upholding the involuntary manslaughter conviction of his personal physician.

Both were announced in court Wednesday. One Associated Press article reports on the settlement between Lloyd’s of London and Jackson’s estate and another Associated Press article discusses the 2nd District Court of Appeal ruling against former cardiologist Conrad Murray.

Murray’s “callous disregard for Mr. Jackson’s health and safety was shown throughout the trial from the manner in which he administered a number of dangerous drugs to Mr. Jackson without the appropriate medical equipment, precautions or personnel in place, and to the manner in which he left Mr. Jackson unattended,” the 2nd District opinion states.

Meanwhile, lawyers for certain Lloyd’s underwriters and Jackson’s estate announced at a Los Angeles court hearing that they had reached an undisclosed settlement in the insurance coverage case. Originally brought by Lloyd’s against AEG Live Inc., the promoter of a “This Is It” comeback concert that didn’t occur due to Jackson’s death, the suit focused on Jackson’s estate after the promoter was dismissed from the legal action. At issue was whether a $17.5 million nonappearance and concert cancellation policy issued months before Jackson’s death was voided due to withheld information about his health.

Earlier this week, a judge in a Los Angeles wrongful death case unsuccessfully brought by Jackson’s mother against AEG Live refused a motion to grant a new trial. It had accused the promoter of negligence in hiring Murray as the singer’s personal physician.